Devastating injuries, a biting allegation and two of the best matches of the NRL era made for exhilarating weekend of football Rugby league in September rarely fails to deliver. It certainly did not on the opening weekend of the 2023 NRL finals series in what was one of the most brutal, dramatic, exhilarating and anxiety-driven weekends in recent memory. Two of the greatest finals of the NRL era were matched with an injury that utterly devastated the game, a stunning biting allegation and moments of reckoning that will take some intestinal fortitude to overcome.With the NRL set to showcase itself to the world in Las Vegas next year, it will unlikely ever get another weekend that demonstrates all that is...
Questions about the future of the NSW squad were put on hold as the fullback finaly found his form to avoid a whitewashOne after the other James Tedesco’s teammates came up to embrace him. First a gleeful Mitch Moses lifted the Blues’ number one off the turf. Then bruising prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard swallowed the diminutive captain in his arms. Immediately, the remainder passed through, part out of respect for a leader under siege, part delight for their friend.Tedesco had just sealed game three of the 2023 State of Origin series with a customary – if unlikely – try assist for debutant Bradman Best, just as Wednesday night’s contest clattered towards a conclusion. Continuing his form from the preceding two matches,...
Brad Fittler’s Blues are desperate to regain some pride in game three after two defeats, but the Maroons look ready to continue dominationUsually, the “dead rubber” is as desultory as it sounds. The cake has been eaten by the victor, the candles snuffed for the vanquished and only crumbs remain for fans. Sure, every State of Origin game offers brilliance, intensity and controversy. But with Queensland 2-0 up and players boycotting media due to their dispute with the NRL, Origin game three at a half-full Sydney Olympic Stadium could be an empty experience for all.Yet there’s still plenty in the balance on Wednesday night. Pride, first and foremost. New South Wales are desperate to salvage something from the wreckage of...
Slater has re-instilled the Maroons’ famed State of Origin resilience but there are some tough questions about Blues coach Brad FittlerQueensland’s back-to-back State of Origin series wins – their first since 2017 – thanks to a dominant 32-6 Game Two win at Suncorp in front of a delirious home crowd will only add to Maroons lore. Yet for New South Wales, it was a humiliating and self-inflicted defeat, which has taken the Blues to a crossroads at which some difficult decisions need to be made.The tortoise and the hare is an appropriate parable for both this series and the Billy Slater-Brad Fittler coaching rivalry. For two years, Slater has been deliberate and methodical in his approach – in planning and...
New South Wales have an almighty task on their hands to stay in the series after losing a game they should have wonNew South Wales coach Brad Fittler admitted he gambled prior to the Origin series opener in selecting Tevita Pangai Junior. He lost with that selection. He lost with other selection calls. He lost with the use of the interchange bench. And he lost the game.The Blues have started favourites in every one of Fittler’s games since he took over in 2018, yet the coach is 8-8 over that time with two series losses. He has been strongly criticised for some questionable selections decisions – Josh Addo-Carr’s omission in 2022 was widely disparaged – and admitted prior to this...